Operating as BirdDog 275, AGAir's Aero Commander VH-HPY was common on fire grounds across Australia. Sadly in 2023 the aircraft had a collision with terrain. The preliminary report indicated the pilot had Hypoxia.

Previously ZS-KZY and N9971S. Based at Stawell, Western Victoria at the time of the photograph. The aircraft was destroyed in a fatal crash around 30nm SE of Cloncurry, Queensland on 4 Nov 23. The crew of three did not survive.

NSW sent aircraft to Western Australia to help fight major bush fires in that state. NSW's 2020/21 fire season was mild thanks to frequent and often heavy rain brought on by a La Nina weather event. The previous fire season in NSW was one of the worst recorded following years of drought.